Author's Note: First let me thank everyone who had reviewed, alerted, or put this story on their favorites it means a lot to me and keeps me writing.
Psst! I am finally finished writing this story, all I have left is the posting. *Does happy dance around the computer* I cannot wait for you all to read the ending. *grabs the celebratory drink* What? it's five o'clock somewhere. I'll have more to say when I post the last chapter.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Do I really need to say that I don't own them? I'm just playing with someone else's toys and do return them in the same shape I have found them (well that may not always be the case).
Severus slowly came awake, he looked around the room he was in. He knew he was in the shrieking shack, but he didn't know why. He remembered coming back from Hogsmead, something on the path getting his attention. Then nothing, hearing footsteps he closed his eyes. He said a silent spell that removed the binds that held him. Mentally shaking his head, who ever had him wasn't very strong magically or they underestimated him. Either way it was their mistake that he would take full advantage of.
He was surprised and shocked when water hit him in the face, he couldn't pretend to be still out so he opened his eyes.
"Good you're up."
Severus rolled his eyes, not only at the statement but the man standing over him.
"What do you want?" Severus asked.
"The truth, the thing you seem to keep hiding. Not that I'm inclined to believe you, I don't think you know how to tell the truth if it was sitting in your lap."
Severus stared at the man as he paced in front of him, oh he wanted to know why but the man would reveal himself in time.
"You will tell me the truth."
"You already have heard the truth, you choose not to believe it."
"There is no way that I will ever believe you did not seduce her while we were in school."
"That would seem more your problem than mine."
"I am making it yours."
In the time the man has paced in front of him Severus had worked his wand out of his sleeve. He brought his wand around pointing at the other man.
"Petrificus Totalus" Severus said quietly as his wand was pointed at the other mans back, he stood when the other fell. Going over he stood over him saying,
"Now Mr. Weasley we are going to see what you've lied about. Legilimens."
He waded though several items that were of no consequence until he found what he wanted. At seeing the 'fight that turned violent' as Hermione had called it he wanted nothing more than to use the killing curse at this moment. Hermione hadn't lied, she just didn't tell him how bad it really was or the fact that she probably would have been beaten to death if Potter hadn't come in.
As he left the others mind he stood over him for several moments before saying,
"If you ever attempt to make contact with my wife again, I will not hesitate to kill you and I will enjoy it."
He went to step over the prone figure on the floor when he kicked him in the ribs then used a sticking charm to stick him to the wall before leaving the room, he knew if he stayed what he had done to Redding would look like a small slap.
He left the shrieking shack cursing the fact that he had the passage to the school closed while he was headmaster. He knew he missed their date and wondered how long he had been out for, he fought the urge to go back and kick Weasley again for his actions.
He had no idea what spell he was hit with but every muscle and joint in his body ached, he apperated to the front gates. When he opened his eyes to find a very worried looking Hermione staring at him who finally said.
"Where have you been?"
"Later, where is everyone?" Severus asked, he just wanted to inform them where they could find Weasley and go find a potion.
"Harry is down on the path with a couple of other aurors, we didn't know what happen to you." Hermione said biting her bottom lip.
Severus heard the worry in her voice, he reached for her putting his arm around her shoulders pulling her to him. That simple act cased an amount of pain that made him hiss, he looked at her to see if she noticed and of course she did.
"What's wrong?" she asked anxiously.
"Nothing."
She moved away from him, he had not realized that he had been studying himself until he had to catch his balance.
"Yeah nothing, don't lie to me Severus Snape what is wrong?"
"Nothing a potion won't cure."
"Severus." She said in a warning tone. "Please tell me what's wrong, I can see your in pain."
Severus sighed before saying to her,
"You do realize that men like to be the caregivers, we do not admit to physical pain as to not look weak in the eyes of those we care for."
"Stop the bullshit, either tell me or I will call Poppy down here and maybe Minerva too and let them deal with you."
"Damn it woman, you don't play fair."
"Neither do you, so get on with it." She took her wand out pointing it toward the gate.
"Every joint and muscle hurts, I must have been out longer than I thought. I'm not a young man anymore."
" Expecto Patronum"
"I thought you said….."
Hermione smiled at him before turning to the otter before her saying,
"Find… Harry Potter the message is; Severus is at the gate now. We are going to head up to the castle." Turning to Severus she said, "I would think you would know that I keep my word."
"Of course I know that, I just…."
"Let's go, you need a potion or two and maybe a long soak in a hot bath."
"Men do not take long soaks…."
"I have missed my date, do not argue with me Severus."
"Very well, come here."
Hermione stepped up to him he leaned down but she put a hand on his chest saying,
"This is causing you pain."
"I don't care, I would endure any amount of pain to kiss you."
He closed the distance lightly placing his lips on hers, then deepening the kiss. It was always the same, such an overwhelming feeling of headiness when he kissed her like this. It was the reason he always kissed her like this.
Hermione knew this was causing him pain, even if he didn't want to admit it. She broke the kiss placing his arm around her shoulders before saying,
"Let's go, you can tell me what happen along the way."
"Can you wait for Potter, I don't want to have to retell this more than neccarry."
Hermione sighed finally asking,
"Just one question then, where were you?"
"The shrieking shack."
"Okay." She didn't ask any more questions she understood him not wanting to have to repeat the story several times.
"So where do you want to go? Hospital or potions lab for the potions?"
Severus sighed, he really didn't want to be under Poppy's care. Not tonight and if he went to the hospital the woman wouldn't let him leave no matter how much he tried to goad her into doing so. Poppy was nothing if not tenacious when it came to the health of students and factually at the school.
"Potions lab, we can floo Minerva from my office to meet us and Potter there."
"What about me?" Harry asked coming up behind them.
"Were going to the potions lab, we can contact Minerva to meet us there." Hermione said.
Harry looked at the two of them then turned telling the aurors behind him,
"It seems he has been found you can return….."
"You may not want to do that yet." Severus said.
"Okay, they can wait in the great hall."
Once they were far enough away Harry moved closer to Severus saying,
"Here let me help."
"I am fine Mr. Potter."
"You are a liar Professor Snape."
"I will make it to my potions lab under my own power."
"Very well," Harry said before saying under his breath "too damn proud."
Severus chose to ignore him concentrating instead on moving down the stairs to his lab.
The stairs seemed to be the worse, every step felt like his knees were grinding. He wondered again what the hell the spell was that hit him, he had never heard on one that caused this effect. Once he reached the bottom step he stopped leaning against the wall.
Hermione was worried, she didn't think he realized that he was putting more and more weight on her. When he stopped she moved to stand in front of him saying,
"Severus, tell me what potions you need I'll go get them."
"We are almost there…."
"Don't argue with me, just tell me."
Severus knew it was the best choice, and maybe the only one that would allow him to make it to his classroom.
"Pain reliever, muscle relaxer, anti-inflammatory, and joint rebuilder."
"I'll be right back." Hermione said kissing him on the cheek before going half way down the hall then into the classroom.
"Why don't you sit." Potter said.
Severus looked to see a chair behind him, he gratefully took a seat. It helped his knees but not much else.
Harry watched Severus as the man's eyes closed, he could even tell the man was in great amount of pain.
Hermione was back in moments giving him the potions one at a time, when Severus started to get up she said.
"Just relax for a few more minutes, I sent for Minerva. Let the potions do their work."
Hermione looked at Harry the worry efferent in her face.
Severus knew he was worrying Hermione, he hated that he was. She should never have to worry over him, he was suppose to take the worries away from her. He reached for her hand, he was starting to feel better. Hermione knelt by the chair saying,
"Feeling better?"
"Yes, I'm sorry I should not be worrying you so."
"Oh hush, you couldn't stop it even if you tried. It's what happens when you care for someone."
Severus reached over brushing the back of his fingers along her cheek, wondering yet again what he had done right in his life to deserve this beautiful woman. Finally he said,
"Come on, I want to get this over with so I can move on to the rest of the evening."
She tried to help him stand but he waved her hand away as he stood feeling much better, he took her hand leading her to the classroom.
Author's Note: Comments really do make me smile and brighten my day.
Also I wanted to let you know that I have a couple of Severus/Hermione videos on youtube, the link is in my profile.